What happens to the families of deposed dictators?

[Diceman]

I recently read a news article looking back on last year’s “Arab Sping.” We all know that several long-time dictators were deposed. What the article didn’t mention, and what I’d like to know, is what happened to the families of these guys. Last I heard, Gadaffi’s family was holed up in Algeria (IIRC), and given what happened to his children and grandchildren who didn’t flee the country, this is probably the smartest thing they could have done. I’m still half-expecting to wake up one morning and hear that their compound has mysteriously exploded.

What became of the families of Hosni Mubarak, or that Tunisian guy? Or for that matter Saddam Hussein’s family? (I know two of his sons died in the war, but he had several additional children.)

[dolphinboy]

I think it depends on how ‘active’ the family member was in the regime. Saddam’s 4th cousin, while he/she certainly benefited form Saddam’s rule, can likely slip away and carry on with their life after he was deposed. His sons, however, were known to torture and kill innocents and have no choice but to make themselves as scarce as possible.

So the answer is ‘it depends’.

[Johanna]

Dear Friend,

Greetings"

I am wife of late Nigerian head of state. We have not met before,I got your contact through Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and I felt I should trust you. It is no news telling you that my family has been going through untold hardship since my husband died.

My family has lost so much including some fixed assets my husband acquired while in office. Evidently, the pages of all Nigeria dailies, which you can equally get from Nigeria embassy in your country, will tell better our story. Even now, our homes are under surveillance, worst of all, the Government has restored to consficating everything that has to do with our family.

Before the death of my husband, he ran among other business of his own, bureau de change, which was flourishing with every Government support. From the bureau de change business, which has now been clamped down by Nigeria Government, I was able to save USD$24,000,000.00 in cash. I tried to safeguard it in a security company here in Nigeria but couldn’t. Through the help of a close family friend who works in a security company, I delivered the USD$24 million and moved it out of Nigeria under the label of photographic materials to a security company in EUROPE.For security reason,I wouldn’t mention the name of the country until I hear from you.